# Accident 20100509033889A: Hiller UH-12A, Sarasota, FL, May 9, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 9, 2010, 19:00 local time
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 27.3189° N, 82.4339° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3189&lon=-82.4339&mi=10
- Aircraft: N116S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116S-2017-02-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller UH-12A (registry code 4360104, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6V4 series (registry code 27033, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12A
- Reported engine: FRANKLIN 6V4 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 690 total, 690 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA262) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100509033889A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MAY 09, 2010, AT 1900 EASTERN TIME, A HILLER UH-12A, AIRCRAFT, REGISTRATION N116S, EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OPERATIONAL CONTROL DURING CRUISE FLIGHT NEAR SARASOTA, FLORIDA.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED AND LOSS CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH ABRUPTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN.  THE PILOT TRIED TO AUTO-ROTATE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACT IN ADEQUATE TIME, THUS THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.  AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE LEFT SKID WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE LEFT SKID MOUNT WAS BENT UPWARD.  THE ENGINE, MOUNT, TRANSMISSION, AND ROTOR HEAD WERE THRUSTED FORWARD CAUSING THE TUBULAR FRAME TO FAIL.  THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED THE TAIL BOOM SEVERING THE BOOM AND CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR SHAFT TO DEPART THE AIRCRAFT AND IMPACT A NEAR BY RESIDENCE'S EXTERIOR STUCCO WALL.  THE WALL ALSO HAD EVIDENCE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SHAFT BEARINGS IMPACTING THE WALL.  THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (14 CFR) PART 91 WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED.  VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AFTER IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.  THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES.  THE FLIGHT DEPARTED DOVE HELIPORT, IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA, ON MAY 09, 2010, AT APPROXIMATELY 1845 HOURS EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA10CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA262), May 9, 2010: Hiller UH12 (N116S), Sarasota, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed remedial action to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of lift and hard landing.

## Other reports on N116S (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19820502037979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820502037979A), May 2, 1982: Hiller UH12A (N116S), Highland, NY, Substantial damage. RPM decay, struck a tree and landed hard in a apple orchard. Oil leak between engine and transmission. Oily clutch.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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